The NBA is on a break from the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade chatter after the Bucks kept him past the deadline, but the buzz will start up again in the offseason. If he indicates to Milwaukee that he won't sign an extension when he becomes eligible on Oct. 1, a trade could happen. The Los Angeles Lakers are readying for that possibility, as ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that the organization believes it will be "one of the teams on a very short list" if the superstar asks out.
McMenamin also wrote that an unnamed Western Conference executive believes that Giannis is the "big prize" that LA "hopes to land."
The Lakers have prioritized financial flexibility since landing Luka Dončić at last year's trade deadline in a move that is still hard to believe. He signed an extension last summer, and this summer, LA needs to lock Austin Reaves down to a new deal to keep him around, unless Milwaukee demands him in a trade.
As ESPN's Bobby Marks said, without factoring in a new deal for Reaves, the Lakers are projected to have $51 million in cap space this summer. That number doesn't factor in LeBron James, either, as he will be an unrestricted free agent and may or may not stay in Los Angeles. Even if he does, the front office knows they need another co-star alongside Dončić.
Lakers believe they will have a good shot at Giannis this summer
You're probably over hearing about Giannis after how the lead-up to the deadline went. He told Sam Amick of The Athletic a couple of months ago that it isn't in his nature to request a trade (subscription required). ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported eight days before the deadline that Antetokounmpo was "ready for a new home" and that the Bucks were finally willing to listen to offers for him.
Giannis' tweet after the deadline passed made it seem like he didn't want to leave Milwaukee after all, but he will be forced to decide on his future this summer. The Bucks currently sit 1.5 games out of play-in tournament range at No. 12, but they did win five of six games heading into the All-Star break, and they did so without Antetokounmpo, who is out with a calf strain.
Still, it will take a lot for Milwaukee to make a deep playoff run, and another early postseason exit could be the final nail in the coffin for Giannis in Milwaukee. If he does actually decide he wants to go elsewhere, the Lakers have good reason to believe they'll be at the top of his list. Why wouldn't he want to be in LA with Luka?
The Lakers could trade three first-round picks to the Bucks, and they will have the space to sign Giannis to an extension after a trade.
It was a relatively quiet deadline for the Lakers, but that's because they know what could come their way during the offseason. Get ready for what could be a wild summer, one that LA hopes will conclude with Giannis in purple and gold.